Kale Caesar Salad with Crispy Chickpea Croutons
This kale Caesar salad is a fresh take on a classic dish, made with tender greens, crispy chickpeas, and creamy tahini dressing. This salad recipe is rich, vegan, and gluten-free!
Servings: 4 Servings
Calories: 257kcal
Ingredients
For the Crispy Chickpeas:
- 1 15-ounce can organic chickpeas
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 heaping teaspoon garlic powder, more or less to taste
- Salt + pepper to taste
For the Vegan Caesar Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons tahini
- 2 tablespoons hemp seeds (I use Bob's Red Mill)
- 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
- 1 teaspoon capers
- ¾ teaspoon caper juice
- ½ teaspoon dijon mustard
- Juice of ½ a lemon
- 1 garlic clove
- ¼ cup water
- Salt + pepper to taste
For the Salad:
- 1 large bunch curly green kale
- 1 batch crispy chickpeas
- 1 batch vegan caesar dressing
- 1/4 cup raw pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup quinoa crispies, optional
- Additional toppings as desired
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375ºF.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then transfer them to a large bowl. Top with oil, garlic, salt, and pepper, and stir to combine. Transfer the chickpeas to a baking sheet and roast for 40-45 minutes, until golden brown and crispy, shaking the pan a few times to avoid burning.
- While the chickpeas are cooking, prepare the dressing. Add all the dressing ingredients into a high-powered blender and blend on high until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a container and set aside.
- For the salad, wash the kale leaves thoroughly, then remove the stems. Tear the leaves into smaller pieces and put them in a large salad bowl.
- When you're ready to assemble the salad, pour the dressing over the kale and begin to massage it with your hands until the leaves begin to soften. Transfer to serving dishes and top with chickpeas, pumpkin seeds, and the optional quinoa crispies.
Video
Notes
- If the chickpeas don't fully crisp up, leave them in the warm oven with the door propped open for 30-60 minutes.
- Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days, though it won't be as good after the first day.
- You can top the salad with the protein of your choice to create a complete meal.
Nutrition
Calories: 257kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 15g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Sodium: 517mg | Potassium: 355mg | Fiber: 6g | Vitamin A: 1480IU | Vitamin C: 24.8mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 3.4mg